Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) hosted Tea Next 2.0, a capacity-building program for Bought Leaf Factory (BLF) representatives and Small Tea Growers (STGs) in Golaghat, Assam, with the participation of around 256 individuals. The initiative aimed to enhance sustainability, productivity, and regulatory adherence within the smallholder tea sector, which is increasingly crucial to India’s tea value chain. Key focus areas included improving green leaf quality, addressing Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) challenges, and promoting regenerative agriculture practices.
Participants received practical training on aspects such as pruning cycles, plucking standards, and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), aimed at improving the quality and consistency of green leaf production. Expert sessions addressed compliance with the Plant Protection Code, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines, and Pre-Harvest Intervals, along with demonstrations on Integrated Pest Management focusing on non-chemical pest control. Soil health management and climate resilience strategies for tea bushes were also emphasized to ensure long-term sustainability.
The program was organized in collaboration with the North Eastern Tea Association (NETA) and the Trustea Sustainable Tea Foundation, the latter supporting the technical training and field activities. Ishpreet Singh, Vice President – Beverages at HUL, emphasized the importance of small tea growers in India’s future tea industry and HUL’s commitment to helping them meet sustainability and regulatory expectations while improving productivity.
Deputy Director of the Tea Board of India, DM Kakoti, reinforced the Tea Board’s dedication to sustainable tea production and praised HUL for fostering the development of small tea growers and BLFs. Notable speakers, including Rajesh Bhuyan from Trustea, highlighted the program’s focus on equipping smallholders with the necessary knowledge and tools for livelihoods and contributing to the integrity of the tea value chain.
HUL recognized thirty progressive tea growers for their production of premium-quality green leaf during the event. Tea Next 2.0 builds on previous engagements with smallholder communities and reinforces collaborative efforts to tackle systemic challenges in the tea sector while fostering responsible and sustainable growth.
